Veneer cutting machine



June 16, 1953 R. s'. BuRNE'l-r VENEER CUTTING llAHINE Filed April 26.1948 7 Sheet-Sheet 1 rrzeii 33% WQW Hr ys' June 16, 1953 R. s. BURNETT2642,1.36

mmm cumuc MACHINE Filed April 28, 1948 7- sneewsheetvs filmu!IIIII'IIIIIIAK 'IIIII'III'III I 1 June 16, 1953 R.-'s.BuRNET1--.2,642,l36 'I w VENER cu TTINGl Vluc'flmfi: i

med April ze; 1948 7 sheets-snet e Ju'ne 16,` 1953 R. s. BURNETT2542,136

VENER cu'rTING MACHINE Filed April 28, 1948 i '7 sheets-sheet 7ATTQRNEYS Patented- June 16, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT 'OFFICE i i f2,642,136 i *'VENEER-CUTTING MAQHINE Rudolph l S; Burnett; MemphsV Tenn.l pplication `April 26, 1948, Serial No. 23,275

i z, 3J Claiins. (Cl; 164-448) i My invention has reference tol-.veneerf-stripping andiclipping machines and more-particularly to acontrol means, timing orspace measuring device or machine forveneerstripping'and clippingmachines,v for cooperativeO association with theVeneer or strip clipper or cutter of the 4 clipping machine orclipperpart thereof to-cause automatic clipping or cutting off oftheiveneer,

strip or s'heet `in prede'termined regular or irregular lengths.

An'object of the-invention isto provide a `control means, timingor spacemeasuringdevice f adapted for use with conventional veneer stripping andclipping machines in direct association with the clipper part of amachine soas toicause automatic clipping orcuttingoff of 'the veneer,

strip or sheet Vin predetermined or required `lengths and to greatlyfacilitate `and simplify i the work and reduce the time and attentionreoroperating the measuring devices or'switches -for each length ofveneer to Ihe cut is eliminated, v thus making it possible for him togive attention mto the inspection of the Vveneer orsheet material. -Iniview of such automatic control provided here-| by the operator isprovided ample time for manual control in the elimination or cutting outof i defectiveportions from the veneer strip aswhere `knotsxor holesoccunthereby overcoming many of the'objections to present machines `ordevices in which it is impracticaLif'not impossible, to

i give attention to the inspection of-the Veneer 01' sheet materialsince they allow little or no time for special attention to stripinspection on the part of the operator due to't'he .necessity oflconstantly measuring the lengths of the material by determining thedistance betweenthe swtches in'order to operate the samesothat theproper v switches may be closed forcutting theveneer or strip materialin the required lengths.

Another ob'jectof the invention is to provide a control means, timing orspace measuring de- V vice for the clippers ofveneer'strippingland.clipping machines by which when the'device is set,the veneer or strip-Willvbe cut in the required or uniform lengthsexcept when changes fornonuniform lengths cut are necessary or when non-:uniform lengths are to be cut for the elimination of defectivesectionsworv'portions of lthe material or veneer; thereby '-freeing-'theoperator for inspection and elimination of such defective portionsof'theveneer or sheet, without interfering with the resumption of theoperation of auto- I maticmeasuring and clipping, or Cutting of theveneer into Vany desirable lengths for which the present control, timingor space measuring means is set 'to operate electrically.

Another object is to provide a control, timing or space measuring meansas a mechanical and f electrical `improvement lfor a conventional.veneer -stripping and clipping'machine-wherein a veneer strip is carriedalong a path of travel by a continuous ybelt with a rotary shaft rotatedin concurrent relation to the travel of the belt.

Machines of this type customarily have a lathe on which the log orblockis placed and stripped to convertit into veneer, strip or sheetmaterial i which is rolled onto a-spool or -fed directly into theclipper. -If wound on a spool, the spool is elevated and the veneer`unwound therefrom and -rolledover a platform of belts until it reachesthe clipping Vor cutting i knife.

Another object is to provide a simple, manually i operated orset iautomatic electrical l'control -means -for `timing'orimeasuring thelengths of -the sheet or strip. material or veneer being run i throughthe clipper before being cut, clipped off or severed from thelstrip andthe automaticzin- .termittenti actuation-of1 the clipper or` cuttingsknife thereof forV suceessivelv cutting uniform lengths regularor'variable lengths without rei. quiring the attention and aid of theoperator after once havingzbeen set, unless asetting or acl-justment`for cutting different lengths or a short length of defective stripmaterial or veneer .isirequired as comparecl with that for which the ldevice :has once been set, thereby permittingl the `vice which frees theoperator for the work of inspection of the vsheet Vor strip'` as itmoves to x the 'clipper and permitsthe use of thecutter consetting forcutting different lengths in a simple and eflicient manner.

i Another-object is to provide an automatic detrol-means. and switchesVfor Operating the cutter -whendefectivematerial appears so that a re-;Jquired or short lengthof such material may be .feliminated thrown.offlor' cut outV by two cuts usuallylclosely related as determined bythe defeet or at eachVend-thereof,A` and then tor-take up and -resume orlcontinue the automatic cutting operation.

lA further object is to permit the device Ato be i readily and easilyset to cut off the material in any, desired uniforrn or 'regular lengthsand to electrically cause automatic operation of the cutter at suchpoints or times and automatic repeating thereof instead of requiring theoperator to repeatedly set the controls and switches for the `initialand each subsequent operation of the cutter or clipper to causeseverance of the strip "or veneer.

To the foregoing objects, and others which may hereinafter more fullyappear, the invention consists of the novel construction, combinationand Figure 2 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional elevation of a part ofthe left hand iOortion of the device as shown in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a view similar to Figura 2, of the Vright hand portion ofthe device as shown in Figure 1.

Figure 4 is an enlarged Vertical section taken on the line 4-4 of Figure1;

Figure 5 is a fragmentary end elevation of the contact dial or disc andarm looking ltowa-rd the left in Figure 1.

Figure 6 is an elevation of a portion of a bus or switch board by whichjack or other switches are plugged in to 'connect any two of the seriesof contacts for causing the closing of an electrical circuit andoperation of the clipping or cutting knife automatically according tothe length of veneer or strip material to be cut. v

Figure '7 is a fragmentary sectional elevation of the means for checkingthe operation of the movable contact when the ciesired length ofmaterial has passed and reached the clipping or cutting knife to causeoperation thereof and subsequent return of the movable contact to itsinitial position for repetition of the cutting operation and automaticsevering of the material repeatedly in the required lengths.

Figure 8 is -a diagrammatic detail of a portion of the electricalcircuit for causing distribution of the current to a magnetic clutch todrive the inovable contact and de-energization of the clutch to causerelease of the clriving connection and return of the movable contact toits initial position.

Figure 9 is another diagrammatic view of the electrical circuit showingthe connections between the switch board and the circular series ofstationary contacts with which the movable contact cooperates to causethe automatic intermittent operation of the clipper or cutting knifethereof.

Figure 10 is a plan view partially broken away showing the applicationand relative position and location of the present control means, time orspace measuring device to the clipper of a conventional veneer strippingand clipping machine.

' Figure 11 is a sectional view taken along the line i lv-I I of Figure7 as viewed in the direction indicated by the arrows.

Figure 12 is a 'top plan view of the checking means or limiting stopshown in Figure 7.

Figure 13 is a diagram of the electrical circuit of the clipper of themain machine and the present control device. o

Referring to the drawings and especially to 'i Figure 10, the presentcontrol means, time of' space measuring device for Veneer stripping andclipping machines is designated generally at 15 and is mounted on ahorizontal platform or table 3| constituting a base or support mountedon the floor or otherwise, adjacent and alongside Aof the main machineframe F of a conventional type. i

The shaft 'l is caused to revolve by the engagement of theelectro-magnetic clutch |60 upon energization of the circuit through theactuating switch 162. When this happens, electromagnetic brale iii! isin turn energized and this checlfs or momentarily stops further rotationof shaft l. However, there is no appreciable delay or any stopping orslcwing down of the feed of the veneer sheet or strip and without anysubstantial buckling or hu-mping up during such delay in the movement ofthe veneer under and passing the clipper and without clipper knife 551being in a downward position Vacross the path of the veneer sheet whenthe operation is stopped for any reason, since at the completion of thestroke of the knife the latter is in an upward or raised position as isconventional practice. The effect is a quick jab-like Cutting, theswitching from clutch Ii) to brake il being done by the timing device183 which may comprise 'a circular disc of known construction with twosemi-circular brushes, one to impart and carry electrical current energyto the clutch and the other to the brake. The electrical current iscarried to the disc for distribution as set forth, by the manualoperation of the push knobs or switches l56 on the endless member chainor belt 155, the moving belt before the operation of the conventionalclipping or Cutting unit having nothing to do with the lathe whichstrips the veneer from the log or block.. In the conventional veneermachine the |series of spaced kno'bs or electric switches ii are spacedtwo inches apart so that the operator can make a selection of lengthsinto which the veneer is cut by multiples of two inches. This he does bymoving a selected knobo to -a switch engaging position as shown at liaand i moving a second linob spaced a predetermined.

distance from the first positioned knob, for instance the 16th knob fromthe first one which has been positioned, to cut the veneer Vin 32 inchlong pieces, sections or length, or of course, any other desired pairand spacing of knobs according to the lengths to be cut. i v

The two knobs hit actuating switch l62 and by Operating the same,distribute and cut off the current to electro-magnetic clutch ISO andbrake lt! successively and intermittently while the veneer is moving andpassing beneath the clipper or cutting knife iii? through the medium ofthe conventional timing and current distributing device or disc. w Thetwo knobs or switches, i. e. contacts i, after passing the Cutting orclipping machine lor knifeil are repositioned so as not to engage switchli by conven'tional means, not shown, so that the operatol` must press'down two more knobs i to repeat the cutting operation and these traveland do their work. Thus, the operator of the conventional machine withsuch a manually Controlled device Vis engaged constantly in measuringthe distances between vor spacing of the pairs of knobs and pcsitioningthem according to the lengths of the Sections or pieces into which theveneer strip or sheet is to be cut with a repeat of the operation foreach cut, and being so busily engiaged, he has little or no time forinspection of the material w manually.

AWThe present inventionis designed to eliminate "ordistributing discforthe-current to'the'electroi magnets of the clutch I'Bn andbrakef'l6|,`-or any other desired length,` and when-such length ofmaterial has passed, ienergizes the disclwhich in its'rotationdistributes the current tofthefclutch 1 and lbrake v`OperatingmagnetsandcauSes the'cut- 'tingoperation to bei regularly ieifected by'operation of the clipper knife'without any further ef- "fifort or aid'of the operator, thereby freeing the :operator forthe work ,ofinspection 'and looking f'out for defects in material-which should 'beelimij nated,"permits"the operator to `Vthrovv it off; press a button byhand when' a defect' is 'observed` and when'the required'short length`ofW material or Kveneer `to embrace orinclude the defect'such as 4 or 6inches has moved or travelled, press another `or second button, and byOperating the clipper ea'ch time or twice such short distances apart or'any other distance in multiples 'of' two' inches apartycutiout andeliminate defective material which may contain knots or holes, or beotherwise defective, and having done this,V the present device will beback in position ready to take up and' re- "sume its automatic operationof controlling; timfing or space measuring to 'cause automatic cuttingofthe veneer strip or sheetin regular'lengths without repeated measuringof spacing between buttons and' operation thereof by'the operator (Theadvantages of the present device and such automatic operationare-'therefor 'apparentand real and better-material can beput out,A the'tedium o'f having to repeatedly reset the spacing 'means is eliminatedand the output lof the main "machine is substantially increased.

The shaft l9`is j-ournaledin bearings 22 and 323 of any suitable type,anti-friction or other- ``wi.se,=with provision for lubrication and'heldby co1lars`24 suitablyset or fixedH on theshaft at fopposed sides ofsaid bearings to take end ``thrust :*and prevent axial translationor'shifting. Bearings'22 and 23 are'supportedl on frame uprights orpedestals 25 on a plate 26 bolted adjustably or otherwise as by screws21 to and over oneend portion of a second 'lower' plate 28Withiinterposed spacers 'or spacingcollars' 29,'While plate-28 is ner;`'as'byaset screw 34 through its hub or hub plate 33. Wheel 32 has fiberdisesor end'plates 35 and-l36ibolted to a relativelywide insulation or```fiberidisc or-oylinder 31 and to each other as at i 38,;.andplate'36` is provided With' an opening 39 .I i andxdiscizfl-.withzarecess :40: at the'`` inner: end of dated in opening 39 and recesslllconn'e'ct 'the g. such measuring and positioning of knobs by causping'the automatic control; space ortime measuring and Cutting of regularlengthsfof veneer With- 'out repetition of the 'selectionfofflspacingonce 'the same has been'selected' or set; it being noted 4 that' therepeated manually measuring or selection 'and positioning of the 'knobsy is a tedious 'job which doesnot permit, much time for inspection ofmaterial for defects 'and special'selection of 'j knobs 156 for.elimination or cutting out ``of dev fective portions. Thepresentdeviceautomatif 'cally'measures *off the desired'lengths, such as'the*"732] inches 'referred to-ener'gizes theltimi-ng device same and hub33`through disc or plate 35. Copper slip rings `42 and 43 are mount'edinspaced relation in grooves 44 formed in the periphery of l the``fiberor insulation disc 3? and these rings are engaged by carbon brushes orcontacts 45 'carried by arms 4B supported or` pivoted at 41 on anupright brush holder `fill to'imove'toward .and away from rings 42andill. Brushes islide horizontally through'arms 46 and are held againstthe slip rings by springs 49. 'i Rings '42 vand 43 have tongues or clips5G and 5 I extended laterally 'of' bent therefroni'formed in' therecesses 52 in fiber `discs or plates 35 and35,'respectively/atoppositefsides 'of the Wheel 32 to' which conduotorsE133 and 54 are connected with conductor Mex- V`l`tension' '51to which ahorseshoe magnet 'core 582 is bolted as at 59. A pair of fiber p'lates3613 and 6| are bolted or connected'in spaced relation as:

i at 32. "The `joined plates 33 and el are mountedl tended' through anopening 55 inrthe'wheel32. plate 56 is 'bolted at 3B against .disc'ronplate 36 'and has a thickened i central portion. torex- 'oni core vwithinterposed coils or Windings 63' idisposed'on the legs tt of the magnetor 'core to- Which conductors 53 and '54 are connected 'and toeach otherat`85. The plates B3 and 5| 'are formed 'With aligned holes receivingthe1egs164 which are extended and exposedl atand slightlyA beyond' theouter face of plate 5 l.

' `A second shaft or shaft section 55 is journaled in upright bearingmembers; arms or end' pilates 67' `andlis of1a U-shaped bearing frame'lillxdisposed on a pedestal ll) with said framev .being bolted and.keyed thereto as at `'H' and 12, re-

rspectively. The base' 13 of pedestal 'Ill is vwelded `:or otherwise*secured to' -a base plate 'M'Which is in turn bolted at 75 to plate 28and base 3| With 'the pedestal .base 74 being separated' from the mainbase by interposed spacersor spacing collars as at 76, the same as plate28 is bolted thereto.

'Slidably mounted on the end of'the shaft 68 adjacent theelectro-magnetand ends'of legs 64 of core 58 is a magnetically Sensitive centrallyapertured clutch plate or disc and armature 11 having an insulation orfiber disc hacking 18 seeured thereto in anysuitable mann'er. asindicated by rivets as at 19. 'The' backing member A'18 is'provided Witha central hub and Vsleeveil'open at thefront to expose the adjacent.endof shaft `vG6v which is adapted to extend therethrough.

Clutch armature Ti is fixed against rotation on the shaft 65 to rotatetherewith, but is splined On the Tshaft asindicated at 82 to permit thearmature clutch'plate to rotate With and move axially on the shaft 66..The sleeve Bl constitutes a part or section of aV two-part telescopicand extensible member including an inner sleeve on which the sleeve 8|is splined or keyed against turning butadapted to slide or shift Withl'imitedn'lovement longitudinally cr lengthwise by reason oflinte'rfitting key or rib and keyv-.fayor groove on f' the respective'tubul'ar Sections or sleeves. Sleeve 657 B3' isprovidedf'with'anfenlargementi" and an annulariendifiange 85 fixed toshaftt at 35. A coiled clutch spring 8? is disposed in encircl'ingrelation over said sleeveswith one end anchored to hub 80 and theopposite end disposed over shouldered enlargement d'land secured .toflange 35. 'The spring 81 is'proportioned to normally `space armature'l'l` free of magnetl and engageable therewith against the urge. ofspringl on .energizationof the magnet as hereinafterv exxplained. ;fShaft i ``66, in` .bearings,. i bearingu collars or bushings 88 and 89is rotatably mounted in lbearing members 61 and 68. These bearings maybe fixed or loose on the shaft 66 or in said members, and when bearingor sleeve 88 is fixed to the shaft as by dowel pin or set screw 90, asseen in Figure 3, it acts as a take up and prevents undesired'endmovement of the shaft.

Mounted on shaft 66 adjacent bearing or bushing 88 and spaced fromupright members 61 is a toothed disc or ratchet wheel 94 formed with acollar portion 91 and fixed to the shaft 66 as by a dowel pin 92. Theratchet wheel 94 is engaged by a dog or pawl 96 pivoted by anoutstanding horizontal stud 91 carried by a clamp block or bearing 96bolted at 99 on arm 61 near one side and a torsional spring 100 is fixedtothe Ablock 'or pivot shaft and pawl or dog 96 to hold the latterengaged with the peripheral teeth of the ratchet wheel to permit steppedrotation thereof in one direction and restrain reverse rotation thereof.A small electro-magnet or solenod 101 is carried by'an arm 102 fixed tothe arm 61 and projecting laterally outwardly and downwardly on anincline therefrom. The coil or winding 199 of the solenoid is aperturedto receive a C-shaped or open looped core 194 constituting a shiftableor movable armature or transfer member mounted at 196 in a bracket orhanger 101 all mounted on arm 61`of frame 69.

Core 194 'has a plunger or outwardly inclined block 108 at the bottomseated on an inclined arm 102 and with the core having a horizontalinward. extension or arm 109 with an inclined abutment member or arm 110 on its inner end to engage the outer end or arm 1 11 projecting fromthe dog or pawl 96 opposite the end which engages the teeth of the discor ratchet wheel 94.

VPawl or dog 96 under the action of the spring 190 is normally heldengaged with the teeth of the ratchet wheel, but upon energization ofthe solenoid, the c-ore or armature and plunger are magneticallyattracted and shifted inwardly to force the inclined abutment member orarm 110 against the outer end or arm l 1 of the pawl and disengage thesame from the ratchet teeth whereby the shaft 66 may turn apredetermined degree or limited extent until the solenoid is deenergizedand the core and plunger moved outwardly to release the pawl or dog andpermit the spring thereof to rock the pawl into lengagement with theratchet teeth` and check further rotation of the ratchet wheel 94 andshaft 66. The spring extension 111 of bearing 89 for setting the. adijustment of the tension of the torsional reset spring 1 12. A stationaryinsulation or fiber contact disc 118 is bolted at 119 to upright framemember 6B with interposed spacing collars 120 and bears a circularseries of spaced contacts 121 each connected by a conductor 122,plug-inconnectors or jack switch socket of a regular series 123 thereofmounted in a jack panel or bus board 124 mounted in a convenient placefor operation. There may be 50, more or less, of the jack switch socketsor the like in the series 123, preferably uniform'ly spaced in rows asseen in Figure 6 of the drawings.

projects loosely through an opening 121 in the disc 118 to rotate freeand out of electrical contact with the stationary 'contact disc 118, andarm 125 has a contact point 128 to engage contacts 12 I in sweeping overthe same.

In Figure 13 there is disclosed the circuit diagram by means ofwhich-automatic operation of the clipper is obtained. A low voltageclutch and brake circuit is provided. which includes conductors 164 and165 connected to a source of current supply such vas a six Volt currentsupply. Conductor 164 is connected to a resistance 111 and a conductor112 connects resistance 111 to one side of the clutch 160. The otherside of the clutch 199 is connected by a conductor 113 to a circularcontact 116, which is engaged by al brush 111.

A conductor 118` connects brush 111 to a vrelay switch 119 having anarmature 180, which is normally disengaged from a contact 181 with whichconductor 118 is connected. Armature 180 is connected to conductor 165,and a manual switch 110 is interposed in conductor 165 for regulatingthe manual closing or opening of the low voltage circuit.

Brake 161 is connected at one side by means of a conductor 182 toresistance 111 and the other side of brake 161 is connected by aconductor 103 to a rotatable contact ring 184, which is fixed relativeto ring 116. V

i A brush 185 engages ring 184 and 'is-connected by means of a conductor196 to a contact 181,

urged action of pawl 96 is effective to stop any tendency of the saidpawl to rebound or bounce at the end of its Operating cycle so as toprevent undesired repetitious operation and closing of the electricalcircuit to the electro-magnet 160 which mittently cut or severed intothe desired regular 'lengths automatically, as compared with the useV ofan ardinary arm and adjustable stop to check the rotation thereofcausing rebound and repeat of the cutting operation, especially incutting long lengths of material when the shaft and arm tend to pick upmomentum, all of which will be more fully described hereinafter.

A torsional reset coil spring 112'has one end I anchored to a collar 113adjustably fixed at one end as by a set screw 114 to shaft 66 and at theother end to a flanged collar or toothed sleeve having a peripheralgroove 115' engaged and adjustably held by a set screw 116 to a collaror which is normally engaged by armature so that normally the brake 161is in braking position. conductor 53, which is connected to one end ofthe coil of magnet 63, is connected by conductor 188 to conductor 131which is connected to another source of current supply, such as a 110,volt current supply. The other side of the coil of magnet 63 has aconductor 189 connected thereto .which is connected to the armature 190of a relay 191. Relay 191 is connected by a conductor 201 to conductorand by a conductor 202 to conductor 13'1. Armature 190 normally engagesa contact 192 which is connectedby a conductor 193 to conductor 132, andconductor 132 has a cutoif switch 133 interposed therein.

gRelay 119 has. one side thereof .connected by means of a'conductor 194to conductor 131, and the other side of relay 119 is connected by meansof a conductor 195 to the central contact or terminal of a four-Wayswitch 115. Contacts 121 carried by disc 118 are connected by conductors122 to the sockets 123 of panel 124. There'are as many contacts 12| asare desired and the spacing between contacts represents two inches ofthe length of the veneer. I

The contacts- 196 of switch 115 have conductors 191 connected therewithand p-lugs 129 are con- A movable rotatable contact arm' 125 is fixed at126 to the end of shaft 66 which wiLrbe-f energize'd lat pre-selected``intervals` when:

the.1.=movab1e 'contact- `I 28 ;engages contacts: 1 l 2 IA whichareincircuit with .switch 115 through con; ductors l9'l`f.W

Onesidefiof. ratchet: releaseisolenoid `I ll I is con:-.

nected` by a Aconductor "i 98 to conductorf I88, and the other side ofsolenoid 10|; is connected by a conductor 199' to conductor l95;Normally open switchl is connected by means of a conductor 2905 :betweenconductor '[32 and conductor 195 so' as to ftherebybridge the. fourfwayswitch 175' and. the selector switch Vembc` died by the contactslllfand. |28;

Inthe normal automatic operationof the ma chine,switches1 i33' andJ'lOare closed, ``and with shaftcrl 9 :being 'rotated by-'the veneer..machine through chain "I'Lmagnet 93 willjbe energized so``astoidr'awarmature Ti' thereto and rotateshaft 661? .therewthf Shaftfiiilwillonly rotate through a filparztial: por. substantially'complete-1 revolution enga'ges'acontact, 12! which is connected torelay IS'hthroughswitchj'i5, through a plug 129 and conductor :I 91,relay i Bl'will lbe 'energizecL movi ing'armature 99 to acircuitbreaking position, de-'energizing magnet 53 and permitting armature Ti'.to'befmoved 'endwise by spring 81 to d'isengaged` :positionz At 'thetime :shaft 6G. is ''rotated,v pawl .992111111 ride' over `the teethof;ratchetV ft `and when. the.

circuitiiscompletedto relay 19| to de-energize v magnet:53\,:.theratchetrelease circuitembodying conductorsf 19.3 :and .199 :will` .beclosed :so `that ratchet release solenoid 1| 0| will be. energized andpawizSE :.wi-11 be released.: Release .of pawl 96 willipermit spring.||2 to rotate'arm.` {25 backto itsistarting position` V;At 'the `:time`thecircuit isclosed :to four-.way switch :l'l5,;-re1ay. 11.9'wi'lljbeenergizedso as to draw armature'l lll to Circuit closingposition with contact-184'` inorder toenergize clutch lie. 1` Relay |1=9isa `relatively slow releasing relayiwhichi willrpermit clutch'i 69' tobe operative for a short period sufiicient to providefor operationiofthe knife 1151; after which .armature' 18B will move to` circuit-c1osingfposition `with respect to the brakeicircuitembodied conductors U55,`l86, i 33v` and` 182.l

In the event there is .a bad spot in'the veneer whichit is de'sired'to`cut out; Vbridging switch l39 i is manual-1571 `closed, thereby'energizing relay `19| and relay.v 1191.

when;:the::ba'd'spothas been out out, switch i is released, "therebybreaking the shunt or bridginglcircuit land` permitting. the automatic:opera;

The fswitch: l39f'is' 'operated at leastztwicein the cutting. outofthebad spot and way switch ll5 and insert theplugsfinfthe. desired...sockets accordingto the length or lengthsselected; i to' be out l'andturnron the machinezbymeanstof.'

the switch 133 andwhen it is desired tozcutout:

i a defective short length` such as four or six inches;.-'.

to close the switch 13|] 'which throws the: controL device ofr'thisinvention out `'or off and effects'1a--.-

cutting operation ortwo in successionif thenext regular Cutting point isnotcsufiicientlynear` or at .i

the proper point to eliminate' the defective mazterial. After thedefectiis eliminated 'by cutting. out a short'l length, the deviceresumes' its auto-z' matic 'operation immediately without any-furtheradjustment and continues to automatically sever `orcut "the -veneerin'uniform "or .regular` lengths. with-out 'requiringany attentionwhatef soever onthe part of the operator and measuringz the lengthsqbyclosing theicircuit tothe-knife- `20 duringeach cutoif cycleyandwhencontact |28` tioniofzpth'e' 'machineftoc Continue. as. hereinbeforenet63 through relay |9l, the ratchet release circuitj to. solenoidilfli?.'willbr closed in order that contact IZBcarried by arm E25 will bereturned to itsistartingposition. In other words, the maninvention all.he hasI to do is to operate the vfour- Operating clutch at the topcontact'l'l. when.en-.- gaged .by the contact. |28 of'` themovable'icontact; vor arml and the next one,fwhen'1theconta'ct- I 28(engages the contact |2l of the socket- I 23 .fin

which a jack plug: 129 ;has 'been vinserted and. others inisuccessionaccording to the 1engthsse-- lected .by insertion of the respectiveplugs '.-|29.in'r

When the contact arm l25.-is at i the sockets 123. the first `contact|2l, the circuit is closed-'tof'the knife 'Operating clutch .at theelectro-magnet` thereof,`when clipper knife 151' is 'droppedzand thenthe 'current is. distributed .by the. timing disc.` to' theelectro-magnet ofibra'kelll` to check .rata-:-` tion always withknife151 .in'ai'raised position:

and in multiples of. two linches'and correspondinge,`

lengths of. veneer moved toiandpast the clipperr.` Rotation of the arml25 is caused by distribution. of current to the electro-magnet:` 58from the-.slip-= rings 42 and 43 through the ;brushes 45. to-ener--; v

gize the magnet and Jattract. the armatura' .or`.. clutch plate TIagainst the spring B'I'to drive shaft. 65' from `shaft |9 beingconstantlydriven1by-its drive .connection at the 'proper gear ratioYfrom.`` the shaft S of the main machine or` clipper: there'-` of. Thenwhen` the arm rotating lcounter-.- clockwise Vreaches the next connectedcontact' I 2 I:

.that is, the next one connectedV to the next num-- `bered socket lz;`the shaft 56 :having rotated,t

the electro-magnetic clutch is rendered--inopera-vu tive bydeenergization of the magnet 58 'to release' the clutch `plate '11, andtorsional spring I|2`` havingbeen wound, this spring willcausereverse'ro` tation of driven shaft 66 whenthus disconnectedf. fromthe constantly rotating shaft l9,.-ther.ebyi: returning` the arm. |25`to its original''positions'by`` :clocliwise rotation,` being thrown.back :aby :the torsional' spring to the firstcontact point. Dure:

. ing theinitial rotation, VVtheismallsolenoid` :'01'...

electro-magnet .Illl .being .energized, the coreion. armature IM and.plunger 19.8 will be `shifted'to: disengage the pawl 96 from theratchetfwheel:911.l topermitfree rotation.` Upon deenergizationlofxsolenoid lli, the core -or armature and plunger.:

will be retracted tocause pawl 96 to engage the- `teeth -of ratchetwheel 99, thereby preventingre-.`

bound or bouncing aswould be caused zby an arm. merely .striking anabutment or .stop, thus. pre-eV venting two quick cuttings insuccessionand waste ing of an inch or two ofveneer; i

When the. contact 'arm .is at the. -first contact .f

pointV 12 Lthe main machine is caused'todrop its; cu-tting knife Vl'l;the magnetic clutch 1610: is'..en-:-':.h ergized,:=the .shaft' 66' 'isrotated .and 'the montact:`

arm 125 'starts its counterclockwise.rotationi'andx knife 157i of themain machine or clipper is released; rotation continues until thedesired and selected contact point l2| is reached. When this point isreached, i.

e., the 16th point for a 32 inch length to be cut, or otherwise, themagnetic clutch |60 is deenergized, With the result that the contact arm125 is thrown back by the torsional spring ||2 to the first contact |2l,when another cutting occurs and the process is repeated.

Therefore, the operator is freed for the work of inspection andelimination of defective portions of the strip or sheet of veneer orother material, such as where a knot or hole occurs, say from 4' to 6inches thereof, and even if some lengths are shorter, they areacceptable and may be used. After each such cutting, the present deviceis ready to take up and resume its automatic cutting of uniform orregular lengths, or irregular lengths may be cut as desired. The resultis automatic operation of repeated intermittent cutting, better outputwithout defects, the elimination of some' of the tedium'of manualoperation and the output 'substantially increased. The device is sturdy,not likely to get out of working order and may be economically produced,in addition to embodying but few moving parts, and those likely to needattention or replacement, are small, simple and easily accessible.

I claim:

1. In a control means and time and space measuring device for a clipperfor veneer or like strip material having strip advancing means suitablydriven, a clipping knife movable to and from cutting position,electro-magnetic clutch means for operatively connecting the clipper tothe driving means to operate the knife to sever the strip,electro-magnetic brake means for momentarily stopping the knife aftereach cut in inoperative position, manually operated means for selectingthe length of material to be cut and causing the operation of said knifeWhen such length has advanced to the knife, means to render the lattermeans inoperative7 automatic electrically operated control means drivenfrom the strip advancing means to cause intermittent operation of theclutch, knife and brake means independently of the manual means tosuccessively cut the strip in predetermined lengths, and means foradjusting and setting the automatic control means to vary the lengthscut. 2. In a control means and time and space measuring device for aclipper for veneer or like strip vancing means to cause intermittentoperation of 'the clutch, knife and brake means independently of themanual means to successively cut the strip inpredetermined lengths, saidlatter means including a shaftdriven at a predetermined speed ratio fromthe strip advancing means, a second shaft adjacent the first shaft,electro-magnetic clutch means for intermittently connecting the shaftsto drive the second shaft, means operated by the second shaft whendriven to render the clutch, knife and brake means operative toautomatically repeat the cutting of the' strip in predetermined lengthsand disconnect the second shaft aftereach cut, and means to set theautomatic control means to vary the operation of the control means andcutting for different predetermined advance of the strip before cuttingthereof in different uniform lengths.

'3. In a control means and time and space'measuring device for a clipperfor veneer or like strip lmaterial having strip advancing means suitablydriven, a clipping knife movable to and from cutting position,electro-magnetic clutch means for operatively connecting the clipper tothe driving means to operate the knife to sever the strip,electro-magnetic brake means for momentarily stopping the knife aftereach cut in inoperative position, manually operated means for selecting'the length of material to be cut and causing the operation of said knifeWhen such length has advanced to the knife, automatic electricallyoperated control means driven from theA strip advancing means to causeintermittent operation of the clutch, knife and brake meansindependently of the manual means to successively cut the strip inpredetermined lengths, said latter means including a shaft driven at apredetermined speed ratio from the strip advancing means, a second shaftin sp'aced end to end relation With the first shaft, an electro-magneton the adjacent end of the first shaft, a clutch plate on the adjacentend of the second shaft and normally spaced there-'7.

from to be attracted by the magnet upon energization of theelectro-magnet, an electrical circuit including a source of energy, aselector board having switches for various positions according tolengths of material to be cut to connect the circuit to said source, aplurality of contacts connected one to each switch connection of theboard, a contact movable With the second shaft over the plurality ofcontacts and operative upon engagingselected connected contacts toenergize the first magnetic clutch to operate the knife at such pointsand successively energize the brake means to momentarily stop the knifeautomatically and repeatedly after successive predetermined lengths ofstrip advance past the knife, to cut such lengths of strip, means todeenergize the electro-magnet of the first shaft after each cut andsuccessive cut, to release the clutchV plate and second shaft wherebythe same is no longer driven from the first shaft, means to return themovable contact to starting position vupon release of the clutch plateand second shaft, and a switch in the circuit to render the automaticcontrol means inoperative at times Whereby the same may be adjusted forcutting different selected uniform lengths of strip as advanced and foroperation of the manual means to operaterthe knife successively to cutout short defective lengths of strip different from said predeterminedlengths.

RUDOLPH S. BURNETT.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS NumberName Date 1,727,307 Robinson Sept. 3, 1929 1,753,96'7 Robinson Apr. 8,1930 1,947,591 Guhlofi" Feb. 20, 1934 2,369,253 I Robinson Feb. 13, 19452394558 Miner Feb. 12, 1948 2,583,051 Haumann Jan. 22. 1952

